Video Surveillance System Controller

Abstract

A video surveillance system controller that controls multiple cameras with at least two joysticks ( 2, 3 ) and a keypad ( 4 ) to enable live queuing of the cameras. Each joystick ( 2, 3 ) independently controls a camera selected by the keypad ( 4 ). The keypad ( 4 ) can also select one of a number of monitors for displaying the view from a selected camera. The controller has a number of output ports that are configurable for different camera protocols, alarms and other external devices. Each joystick ( 2, 3 ) has at least two-axis control, for example, pan and tilt of a camera. The joystick ( 2, 3 ) may be three-axis to control pan, tilt and drive or four-axis to control pan, tilt, zoom and drive, or other control combinations.

1 . A controller for a video surveillance system having multiple cameras, the controller comprising:
 at least two joysticks, each joystick having at least two-axis control;   a keypad;   one or more output ports in communication with two or more cameras; and   a processor receiving input signals from said keypad and said at least two joysticks and sending output signals to at least one of said one or more output ports to control two of said multiple cameras simultaneously.   
   
   
       2 . The controller of  claim 1  wherein each joystick controls the function of pan and tilt of one of two of said multiple cameras. 
   
   
       3 . The controller of  claim 1  wherein each joystick is a three-axis joystick. 
   
   
       4 . The controller of  claim 3  wherein movement of the joystick is translated to control pan, tilt and drive of one of the two of said multiple cameras. 
   
   
       5 . The controller of  claim 1  wherein each joystick is a four-axis joystick. 
   
   
       6 . The controller of  claim 5  wherein movement of the joystick is translated to control the functions of pan, tilt, zoom and drive of one of two of said multiple cameras. 
   
   
       7 . The controller of  claim 1  further comprising one or more communication protocols, each output port being configured for a communications protocol suitable for video cameras in communication with the port. 
   
   
       8 . The controller of  claim 1  further comprising storage means that stores one or more default positions and views for each camera. 
   
   
       9 . The controller of  claim 1  further comprising a display screen. 
   
   
       10 . The controller of  claim 1  further comprising one or more alarm ports. 
   
   
       11 . The controller of  claim 1  further comprising an external interface system. 
   
   
       12 . The controller of  claim 1  further comprising multiple output ports in addition to the one or more output ports, and the multiple output ports are configurable as alarm ports or external interface ports. 
   
   
       13 . The controller of  claim 1  wherein the processor includes instructions to position each non-active camera at a default position and view determined by which of the multiple cameras are actively controlled by the joysticks. 
   
   
       14 . The controller of  claim 1  wherein the processor includes instructions to automatically move one or more cameras according to a pre-set tour. 
   
   
       15 . The controller of  claim 1  wherein the processor includes instructions activated by the keypad to configure the joysticks and keys on the keypad. 
   
   
       16 . The controller of  claim 1  wherein the keypad selects one or more functions selected from: selecting an active camera; selecting an active monitor; set-up of the controller; and set-up of default camera positions. 
   
   
       17 . The controller of  claim 1  wherein the keypad adjusts operating parameters of the cameras. 
   
   
       18 . The controller of  claim 17  wherein the operating parameters include zoom, focus and iris. 
   
   
       19 . A video surveillance system comprising:
 multiple cameras;   one or more monitors; and   a controller comprising:   at least two joysticks, each joystick having at least two-axis control;   a keypad;   one or more output ports in communication with the two or more cameras; and   a processor receiving input signals from said keypad and said at least two joysticks and sending output signals to at least one of said one or more output ports to control two of said multiple cameras simultaneously.   
   
   
       20 . The video surveillance system of  claim 19  wherein the processor includes instructions to position each non-active camera at a default position and view determined by which of the multiple cameras are actively controlled by the joysticks. 
   
   
       21 . The video surveillance system of  claim 19  wherein the processor includes instructions to automatically move one or more cameras according to a pre-set tour. 
   
   
       22 . The video surveillance system of  claim 19  wherein the processor includes instructions to automatically change cameras actively controlled by the joysticks.